11/12/15

A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa, was held on the 12th day of November, 2015, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Hall Council Chambers, Vinton, Iowa. Mayor Watson presided and the roll being called the following Council Members were present and absent: Present: Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Parr. Absent: Stark.

Mayor Watson swore in Brian Parr as a councilman at-large.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Mayor Watson stated that an item under old business, an update on properties would only be about 615 A Avenue. Motion by Elwick, second by Parmater to approve the amended agenda. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.

Motion by Hessenius, second by Bendull to approve the consent agenda. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Items on the consent agenda are: receive and file the Council meeting minutes of October 22, 2015, approve invoices, receive and file the October revenue and expenditure report, receive and file the Parks and Rec board meeting minutes of October 8, 2015 and receive and file the Airport Commission meeting minutes of October 21, 2015.

Mossman Law Firm sent a letter suggesting a downtown lighting project.

David Condry, ASAC representative, asked to insert a one page flyer in with utility billings regarding disposal of unused or expired prescription drugs and the text2protect programs. Motion by Elwick, second by Parmater to approve this request. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.

Ron Geiger and Dennis Miller requested permission to hold the 6th Annual Veteran’s Patriotic Christmas Parade on November 19th. Motion by Hessenius, second by Bendull to approve this request. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.

David Schechinger, Veenstra & Kimm engineer, gave an update on the inflow and infiltration study. Flow meters were installed in manholes. Certain areas of the town have been identified as having heavier infiltration and inflow to the sanitary sewer system. They suggest performing smoke tests to help locate specific places that need repairs. Smoke testing should be done before snow falls. They have estimated a cost of $35,000 for this process. If city employees assist them, the cost could be lower. A special council meeting will be held on Saturday, Nov. 14th at 10:00 A.M. to approve a resolution to contract with Veenstra & Kimm to do the smoke testing.

Motion by Parmater, second by Elwick to pass a RESOLUTION PROPOSING DISPOSAL OF AN INTEREST IN REAL PROPERTY BY SALE AND NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 11-15-01 passed and approved. The proposal is to sell Lot Five of Maple Subdivision with a minimum opening bid of $1,667.67. The successful bidder is to build a single-family dwelling within five years. The public hearing will be held at the next council meeting.

Motion by Elwick, second by Parmater to pass a RESOLUTION PROPOSING DISPOSAL OF AN INTEREST IN REAL PROPERTY BY SALE AND NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 11-15-02 passed and approved. The proposal is to sell Lot Seven of Maple Subdivision with a minimum opening bid of $1,667.67. The successful bidder is to build a single-family dwelling within five years. The public hearing will be held at the next council meeting.

Motion by Hessenius, second by Parmater to pass a RESOLUTION PROPOSING DISPOSAL OF AN INTEREST IN REAL PROPERTY BY SALE AND NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 11-15-03 passed and approved. The proposal is to sell Lot Nine of Maple Subdivision with a minimum opening bid of $1,667.67. The successful bidder is to build a single-family dwelling within five years. The public hearing will be held at the next council meeting.

Council reviewed a draft ordinance for the installation of water service pipes requiring tracer wire to be buried with the water service pipe for the entire length of the water service pipe. The first reading of this ordinance will be on the next council agenda.

Administrator Ward and Chief Paxton reported that no progress has been made on abating the nuisance at 615 A Avenue. The owners were given until November 1st to clean up the property. Council directed Chief Paxton to cite the owners with a municipal infraction.

Motion by Bendull, second by Parmater to pass a RESOLUTION TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING AND GIVE NOTICE THEREOF RELATIVE TO EXERCISING AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH URBAN REVITALIZATION TAX EXEMPTION (Performance Systems). Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 11-15-04 passed and approved. A public hearing will be held on December 10th.

Administrator Ward received estimates for new LED street lighting. The LED lights are more energy efficient than the current high pressure sodium lighting. Motion by Elwick, second by Hessenius to approve the quote from WESCO Distribution for $3,879.00. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.

Council reviewed two proposals to update and upgrade the current City website. Motion by Parr, second by Hessenius to approve the quote from Three Rivers Promotions for $2,600.00 to redesign the City’s website. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.

Council discussed hiring a full-time building inspector. They could work on nuisance abatements, freeing up time for the administrator and police chief. Maybe the employee would be loaned out to nearby cities. Administrator Ward will research for area costs.

Motion by Parmater, second by Elwick to hold the second November Council meeting on Monday, November 23rd at 7:00 p.m. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.

Motion by Elwick, second by Hessenius to receive and file the IBEW Local Union 55 proposal. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.

There was a recent worker’s compensation incident in the electric utility department. The insurance company will be meeting with the administrator and electric manager.

Mayor Watson reported attending the VMEU Trustee meeting. They will be working on forming an advisory committee for guidance with the telecommunications utility. He also attended the police union negotiations.

Administrator Ward reported: 1) Plans are moving forward with the watershed management authority 28E agreement. 2) Met with Rick Ohrt and Alliant Energy to discuss an energy efficiency program. 3) Planning & Zoning commission met. They discussed a possible minor subdivision for Edward’s Plumbing and Heating. 4) He encourages new and old council members to attend the Municipal Leadership Academy presented by the Iowa League of Cities.

The clerk reported: 1) A new credit card machine with a chip reader is in use. 2) Auditors have started their work and will return soon to start on the electric utility audit. 3) Budget worksheets have been given to department heads. 4) County to hold a demonstration on their new Pictometry program.

Chief Paxton reported: 1) Officer Coshow graduated from the academy on Oct. 30th. 2) The new police vehicles are equipped with laptop computers. Citations are done electronically. Daily reporting is done on these computers. 3) The officers handed out candy for the downtown trick or treaters. 4) They will be assisting with the Veterans Christmas Parade on Nov. 19th.

Council asked Chief Paxton to check on 508 10th Avenue.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Time: 8:55 p.m.